THE VILLAGER 1938-2018 The Villager No 241 July 2018 Journal of The Association CONTENTS

Officers & Committee...... 3 From the Editor...... 7 View from the Chair...... 9 A Pinner Diary...... 15 Post Box Selfie Challenge...... 23 Pinner Sketch Club Summer Exhibition...... 25 Harrow Waste Services...... 27 Check Local Recycling...... 28 Recycling Symbols...... 31 Marsh Road before Sainsbury’s...... 32 Big Band Club...... 37 A Curious Turn...... 39 Save Sunday Music...... 42 - Harrow Triathlon...... 44 Harrow Half Marathon - 2018...... 47 Talking Shops...... 51 Showtime for Harrow Choral Society...... 61 Pinner Synagogue’s Holocaust Commemoration...... 63 Dates for your Diary...... 65 AGM Minutes...... 67 Committee News...... 77 Area Leaders and Collectors...... 78 Index to Advertisers...... 79

pinner association membership Rates £7 per household (2 members), £5 (concession) for single person households. Each includes three issues of The Villager. Delivered free locally - out of town add £3 per subscription (subject to change) Additional voluntary donations most welcome Cover picture: Drawn in 1996 by Peter Green 1 2 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

The Pinner Association Registered charity No 262349 Founded 1932 As one of the largest amenity societies we aim to conserve and enhance the qual- ity of life in Pinner in co-operation with the residents and local government. The As- sociation is non-party-political and membership is open to all who live and work in the area as well as former residents. We are members of the Forum of Civic Societies. The Chairman and the Executive Committee are supported by specialist groups which concern themselves with the High Street and other conservation areas, with the environment, planning, health, transport, parking, flood prevention and other topics. With the help of members, many amenities have been provided. The Villager magazine is published by the Association in March, July and November. Between issues information is displayed on bulletin boards at Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, the Station and the Memorial Park and also on the Pinner Association website.

President Mr ROBIN YOULE, 6 Malpas Drive, HA5 1DF...... 8866 0809 CHAIRMAN Mrs Christine Wallace, 17 Cuckoo Hill Road, HA5 1AS...... 8429 1403 Vice - Chairman VACANT HON. SECRETARY, Mrs Ruth Boff, 10 Crest View, HA5 1AN...... 8868 3988 HON. TREASURER Mr Tim Owen, East End House, Moss Lane, HA5 3AW...... 8866 3024 HON. MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Mrs Jill Cock, 51 Norman Crescent, HA5 3QH...... 8868 5795 HON. EDITOR OF THE VILLAGER Mrs Cynthia WELLS, 97 West End Lane, HA5 3NU...... 8866 8699

COMMITTEE Mrs SHIRLEY CLARK, 13 North Way, HA5 3NY...... 8933 1224 Mr Bill Dedman, 5 Hawlands Drive, HA5 1NT...... 8868 0608 Mr Warwick Hillman, 13 Cuckoo Hill Drive, HA5 3PG...... 8866 2987 Mrs fiona jones, ?????????...... ?????? Mr JAMES KINCAID, 40 Moss Close, HA5 3AY...... 8866 7888 Mr DAVID LEIBLING, 3 Haywood Close, HA5 3LQ...... 8866 6535 Mrs JOANNE Verden, The Fives Court, Moss Lane, HA5 3AG ...... 8866 0111 Mrs JULIE WALLER, 109 Waxwell Lane, HA5 3EP...... 8429 3194 Mr BRUCE WATSON, 3 Cranbourne Drive, HA5 1BX...... 8866 1385

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Life Vice-Presidents Mr O.W.N. COCK, Mr N.J. COLEMAN, Mr S.E. UPTON, Mr M. Verden, Mr e.R.G. YOULE Advertisement Manager (acting) Mrs J. WALLER, 109 Waxwell Lane, HA5 3EP...... 8429 3194 Hon Independent Examining Accountant Mr A D fINEBERG, 44 Moss Lane, HA5 3AX...... Hon Legal Adviser Mr J. Garson, Curry Popeck incorporating Garson Law...... 8907 2000 Hon Architect Mr J.R. ORCHARD, RIBA, 29 West Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill, HA1 3ED...... 8423 4866 Hon Surveyor Mr J.E. Wise, FRICS, 60 Barrow Point Avenue, HA5 3HG...... 8429 1815 Webmaster Mrs J. WALLER, 109 Waxwell Lane, HA5 3EP...... 8429 3194 Noticeboard Administrator Mr W.L. Ewing, 1 Terrilands, HA5 3AJ...... 8866 9844

LIAISON Residents’ Association Mr I. Murray, 13 Daymer Gardens, Catlins Lane, HA5 2HW...... 8866 4133 Hatch End Association Mr A. Allen...... 8428 4036

Website: www.pinnerassociation.co.uk E-mail: [email protected] Facebook: PinnerAssociation

BAND CONCERTS free in Pinner Memorial Park at 2.30pm on four Summer Sundays 29 July – Whitmore High School Steel Band 5 August – Fats Rollini Jazz & Blues Band 12 August – Stardust Big Band 19 August – Grimsdyke Brass organised for your pleasure by the Pinner Association

5

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6 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

No. 240 March 2018

FROM THE EDITOR The Villager is 80 years old this year so our magazine has been recording the comings and goings in Pinner since before WWII. On the odd occasions that I get a spare moment I find it fascinating to read back copies. Much has changed but essentially, much, including the village itself, has remained the same. Pinner is still a place of which we can be proud. We are not the only ones to be commemorating 80 years. It is 80 years since the Kindertransport, and Pinner Synagogue marked the occasion with a talk by two who arrived in our country by this means. It is difficult to imagine the pain of separation and the fate that followed for those left behind. (Short report on page 63.) Whether you voted to leave or remain, I think it is difficult to avoid being hugely depressed by the whole Brexit muddle and the in-fighting of the major parties. World politics are no better and it is gloom all around. That, to many of us, made the royal wedding all the more welcome. It was a reason to be joyful. The weather could not have been better, the couple more handsome and the occasion showed that Britain still knew how to put on a brilliant show. You can also cheer yourselves up by reading Bride and Groom this issue of The Villager. Smile at strange desire of one of our authors to take selfies with pillar boxes. Discover what local recycling means in Harrow. Have a glimpse of what Pinner once looked like. Music, art and physical effort also appear, as well as the regular features, so something for everyone, I hope. Happy reading, Cynthia Wells 7 Call Matthew on 01923 709450

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VIEW FROM THE CHAIR The 86th AGM of the Pinner Association has come and gone. It was well-attended. You will find the minutes of the meeting at the back of this issue ofThe Villager. The AGM and The Villager are our traditional forms of communicating with our members but when the planning application to demolish West House Lodge in Pinner Memorial Park and replace it with a block of five apartments,was spotted on the Harrow Council website, social media spread the word, sending shock waves through Pinner. The Association website, Facebook and Nextdoor gave people in Pinner enough time to raise objections. The application has now been refused outright by the Planning Department of Harrow Council. To quote Ruth Boff, who researched and wrote our comprehensive and thorough submission, “The grounds for refusal were the inappropriateness of the proposed development in the location, the Garden Land Development SPD and the loss of Open Space” – all grounds quoted in the Pinner Association’s objection letter. Thank you to everyone who attended the AGM and signed the petition objecting to the application which we submitted to the Planning Department. Thanks also to the 250 plus people who raised personal objections - a record number reflecting the strength of feeling on this contentious issue. Another concern surfaced as 30 to 50 fish rose to the top of the lake at Pinner Memorial Park in the week ending 20th May. Large, many-coloured carp gulped for oxygen around the edge, the poor condition of the water after a spell of hot weather being exacerbated because the fountain that helps aerate the water had broken. The Council responded quickly.

As in the past the lake was Christine Wallace topped up with water from the Bowling Club and this time a temporary recirculating pump was provided to increase oxygen levels. It was a distressing situation but the Council should not be blamed for providing an Carp and Catfish attractive lake for all to enjoy. When the lake was drained several years ago a bottom-feeder was the only fish returned to the water. This large grey catfish, visible in the reduced depth but not distressed, is a known and acceptable caretaker, cleaning detritus from the bottom of the lake. The carp, from who knows where, are not suitable in this 9 10 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

situation. Please do not release fish stock or pets into our much admired lake. The Pinner Fair returned on 30th May for its annual visit, 682 years after it was granted by Edward III in a Charter in AD 1336. The Showmen’s Guild trucked in the evening before and the next day crowds gathered, bounced, whirled, screamed and revolved on the Carousel and the Teacups and bought Christine Wallace Magic Roundabout ‘CHIPS DRINKS & SLUSH’ from the stall outside the Health Food shop in Bridge Street. Then next morning, like magic, it was all gone without trace. A strange intrusion into peaceful Pinner, luckily avoiding the thunderstorms. The recent rain brought welcome water for the new trees planted along Pinner South streets and the 30 new trees in Pinner Village Gardens, the park accessed from Rayner’s Lane and Whittington Way. Paul Davey, Arboricultural Asset Officer for the Council advised that the planting contract is to

maintain the trees for two years with regular Christine Wallace watering throughout the summer. The trees are protected with wire guards against cars and mowers. “Mowers?” you may well ask, because the grass on verges has sprung up. The ground was wet, the season was late and Council mowers’ first attention was to playing fields and well-used parks. There A flowering Cherry does its stuff 11 12 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018 are varying views on “relaxed mowing” with the thought that long grass will encourage wildlife and even more optimistically over time become picturesque wildflower meadows. [I think the verges, bright with dandelions looked gorgeous. Ed] Meanwhile enthusiasts for well-mown lawns despair at the unkempt look. The grass in Pinner Memorial Park will be in mown to ensure all is prepared for the Summer Band Concerts, on the last Sunday in July and the following three Sundays in August, sponsored by the Pinner Association. The Peace Garden and the station flower beds are maintained with support from the Pinner Association. New additions to the Christine Wallace station flower beds include a thorny climbing rose to discourage fare dodgers from rambling over the railings. In autumn a commemorative tree will be planted at Church Farm Green at the top of the High Street for Keith and Janice Schofield who did so much Due credit to the P.A for Pinner, the High Street and the PADCA Village Hall and as a result earned the title of “Mr and Mrs Pinner”. Perhaps the proposed plaque should note this epithet. There is a group of volunteers who contribute to communication in the traditional way – the 100 or so ‘paperboys’ and ‘papergirls’ who deliver The Villager to your door. They are our valiant Collectors, managed by our Area Leaders, all listed at the back of the Villager; named Collectors because not only do they distribute the magazine but also they collect the annual subscriptions. Their hard work is rewarded with a Collectors’ Party in September. Please volunteer if you would like to contribute in this way by contacting Jill Cock, Membership Secretary.(see page 3.) Lastly, on the subject of communication, the Pinner Association has reviewed the way it holds your information in relation to the General Data Protection Regulation that came in to force on 25th May 2018. The Association holds the minimum amount of basic personal information such as name and address necessary to distribute The Villager and collect subscriptions, and respects your right to privacy. It does not share this information. Christine Wallace 13 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

Pinner Association of Churches Christians in Pinner Working Together The five Churches in Pinner welcome you to the many activities provided on our premises for all ages. We aim to provide a safe environment where the local community can find friendship, support, fun and people who care. For the ’activities guide’ see the web site www.pinnerchurches.org.uk

Toddler Groups; Youth Clubs; Holiday Clubs; Messy Church; Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts; Seniors Groups; Men’s Breakfasts or Suppers; Super Dads; Tuesday Lunches (6 a year); Christmas Day Lunch; Drop-in Coffee Mornings (Thursdays and Saturdays) PAC Coffee Shop EVERY FRIDAY 10.15—12 at St. Luke’s Parish Centre

Cannon Lane Methodist Church; Pinner Methodist Church; Pinner Baptist Church; St. John the Baptist Church of ; St. Luke’s Roman Catholic Church.

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A PINNER DIARY

Pinner exists, official! Mysteriously, for the past few months, it has appeared on the BBC South-East England weather forecast map,

Sometimes it disappears Norm an Stevenson [It is only there in the evenings! Ed], to be replaced by somewhere called , but usually we sit proudly alongside Luton, famous for its airport, Woking, famous for its mosque and Orpington, famous for its by-election. Why the sudden prominence, one wonders. Our On the map splendid new museum? Birthplace of Patrick Moore? Who knows, but at least we’re now literally rather than metaphorically on the map. * * * * * Perhaps it explains our recent springless leap from winter to summer. One week we had a heron casting a bird’s eye over a frozen fish dinner; then we flew off to Cyprus in April to discover that Larnaca was a refreshingly cool change from Pinner. It may not be quite as weird as we like to think. April 14 1966 saw an all-day blizzard, while snow on June 2 1975 stopped play at more than one county cricket match. * * * * * Heidi Sawyer What’s for dinner? Most of our wildlife has coped gallantly, but sadly Swan No. 623 has disappeared from the Memorial Park. It is rumoured that it was having difficulty flying and that concerned passers-by called the RSPCA, who took it away to effect repairs. It always looked rather lonely without a mate, and it would provide a happy ending if the RSPCA could pair it and bring both to the Park. * * * * * After an apparent absence the Tesco cat is back, friendly and vocal as ever, but Henry the RSPCA shop cat has disappeared. The shop staff say he is still around but doesn’t visit any more. He is also even larger, which suggests he has found alternative sources of sustenance. He is much missed and had become a Pinner institution. * * * * * A real blow to our wildlife has been the idiotic pollarding of the magnificent avenue of trees in High View, right in the middle of the nesting season, just at the time they were looking 15 Services for you, your family and your business We are committed to delivering a high quality bespoke, practical and cost-effective service in a timely, professional and friendly manner.

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16 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018 their best, and were about to afford useful shade through the summer months. Apparently the Council’s contractors “didn’t get round to it”, last winter, when it was planned to be done, so hopefully will be penalised for non-delivery. Cynthia Wells Cynthia Wells Before After * * * * * Better news in Chapel Lane where, a mere 18 months after our then Chairman showed Harrow’s Chief Executive the appalling state of the pavement, it was finally upgraded. Well, not exactly, as only a few weeks later one of the utilities moved in and dug it up again under the railway bridge. Don’t these people talk to each other? Meanwhile the carriageway itself is horrendously pothole-ridden, three potholes near the top having been filled in before presumably the money ran out. On present form the repairs will be completed in November, just in time for the frost to wreak its damage once again. [Not this time. The job was done in June! Ed] * * * * * At least the Council seem to have got one thing right, insofar as planning consent has been refused for the totally inappropriate construction of 5 flats on the land in the Memorial Park occupied by what is known as West House Lodge. The Caretaker’s Cottage, as we know it, was sold illegally under right to buy legislation in the 1990s. The proposed flats would have been visible from across the Park and overlooked the Peace Garden and the children’s playground. Hardly an embellishment of our beautiful park. * * * * * It’s “all change” once again at Pinner Library, as control of Harrow’s library services has reverted to the Council, at least for the time being, after the unlamented demise of private contractor, Carillion. Where this leaves the employment conditions and pension rights of the long-suffering staff, heaven knows, but they remain unfailingly professional and helpful 17 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

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18 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018 and one can only wish them a happy and secure outcome. * * * * * Across the road, Pinner Synagogue in April hosted speeches by a nonagenarian couple who had arrived as unaccompanied Kindertransport children just before World War 2. Regular obituaries in the national press, as these children’s lives come to a close, attest to their huge national contribution in all areas of endeavour, which makes our present mean-spirited and grudging acceptance of refugee children from Syria after seven years of slaughter all the more reprehensible. * * * * * Along Marsh Road the hazards of negotiating the Eastcote Road junction are increasing for drivers and pedestrians alike. The sightline for drivers turning out of Eastcote Road is now so obscured by the rampant hedge in the corner garden, that they cannot see approaching traffic until the last minute. As a result they appear to hesitate, tempting those coming from Pinner to go when they shouldn’t; a sure recipe for collisions. This all creates such doubt in drivers’ minds that they can’t see pedestrians crossing from their left unless they are blessed with eyes like the late Marty Feldman’s. If the height of hedge reduces drivers’ decision time to dangerous levels, it has to go, and if the owner refuses to co-operate, the Council needs to act. * * * * * High above the Love Lane mini- roundabout, on a lamp standard, invisible to any drivers with their eyes on the road, is a sign directing one to “shoppers parking”. Leaving aside its crazy location and missing apostrophe, it begs the question where one can park if not shopping. Or does it presage a new revenue stream for the Council whereby you get a

Cynthia Wells ticket if you return to your car without evidence of having Sign of the times shopped? * * * * * While on the subject of parking, our Safer Neighbourhood Panel was informed in April of another sharp “spike” in theft of and from cars in Pinner, and of the fact that most incidents involved cars left unlocked. Not that locking necessarily always works. A few years ago, our last Chairman had the battery stolen from his 18 year-old Citroen. This bizarre case notwithstanding, it must make sense always to lock an unattended car. * * * * * It is likely that the generally low local crime figures in Pinner owe much to Police Community 19 20 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

Support Officer Lee O’Brien, who had been a reassuring presence on our streets ever since the introduction of Safer Neighbourhood Teams 12 years ago. Lee has been transferred to another lucky ward, where his photographic memory for faces of local miscreants will surely be appreciated. We salute him and wish him well. The PCSOs were once the cornerstone of neighbourhood policing, genuine eyes and ears of those they served, and the huge reduction in their number is yet another economy we shall live to regret. * * * * * On a happier note, congratulations to Pinner Hill Golf Club on being chosen Middlesex Club of the Year. The award is based on assessment of a club’s course and facilities and, importantly, what it does for local residents and young people. The award is judged by Middlesex Golf county, and Pinner Hill had to compete with 38 other clubs to win it . * * * * * Once again Pinner has provided the location for a feature film, this time in Nursery Road. Directed by Gurinder Chadha, who numbers “Bend it Like Beckham” among past successes, it is called “Blinded by the Light.” Special effects include recreating the October 1987 hurricane with rain and wind machines and aircraft engines. Understandably, and generously, the company offered anyone adversely affected the opportunity either to be compensated or to be put up in an off-site hotel. * * * * * By the time you read this, Pinner’s 53rd Music Festival will be a happy memory, especially as the list of composers in My Pinner News scores 100% on the Composers Eavesdropper Has Heard Of index as well as Mrs E.’s favourite opera. The Festival’s founder and moving spirit for its first 50 years, Michael Turvey, retired recently as Pinner Parish Church’s Director of Music. His rousing send-off was richly deserved, as generations of choirboys (and, more recently, girls) will testify, and we wish him a long and healthy retirement. * * * * * The same edition of My Pinner News contained an editorial diatribe on the subject of British Airways’ poor service quality and lack of response to feedback. It certainly resonated with your diarist, who recently tried to make a 14 hour flight bearable with some decent music. Sadly his chosen opera was cut off half way through Act 2 because it had been subdivided into too many tracks for the system to handle, and, to add insult to injury, all seven movements of Mozart’s Gran Partita were played in the reverse order. After that homage to Morecambe and Wise, [Right notes but in the wrong order! Ed] there was no option but re-runs of Fawlty Towers. * * * * * Finally, a foray into a local newsagent on 9 May revealed Christmas cards on sale. An enquiry as to whether they were for last or next Christmas led to an embarrassed admission that they were actually intended for the bin, so Oxfam, your record early Christmas card display date of 25 August still stands 21 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

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22 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

POSTBOX SELFIE CHALLENGE While reading my Spring Newsletter from the Letter Box Study Group (yes I live an exciting life), I was intrigued to see details of a ‘Postbox Selfie Challenge’ which would raise funds for Action For Children. The challenge was to take a selfie with as many different ciphers as possible. The vast majority of UK post boxes have a cipher – or insignia marking the reigning monarch when the box was manufactured. The oldest postbox in

Norman Stevenson mainland UK was installed in 1853 during the reign of Queen Victoria and so has a ‘VR’ cipher on it. The most recent boxes have an ‘EIIR’ cipher on (except in Scotland – but that’s another story). So there are currently six ciphers to collect. For years I have had photographs taken of me with different types of post boxes. I consider them an important part of our street furniture and a great historic record, so I was delighted to rise to this challenge. On a freezing Saturday in February I managed to take a selfie of each Royal Cipher (except George VI) without travelling more than a few minutes from Pinner: Victoria by ; Edward VII at Victoria Terrace, ; George V at West Avenue, Pinner; the very rare Edward VIII at Kenmore Avenue,

Kenton; and Elizabeth II on West End Norman Stevenson Lane, Pinner. I took the George VI picture a few days later in Eastcote. Sadly although Pinner is an historic place I’m not aware of any Victorian or Edwardian boxes but I’d be pleased to hear if there are any out there. Having been photographed with all ciphers I received a medal and all entrance fees paid North Way celebrates went to Action for Children. You might consider me unusual for having a fascination for post boxes, but they are a wonderful daily reminder of our history. Also, if we don’t use them we may lose them. Norman Stevenson 23 24 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

PINNER SKETCH CLUB SUMMER EXHIBITION Members of Pinner Sketch Club produce work both independently and through their participation in a weekly programme of activities. The result is a most impressive display of paintings, drawings, ceramics and sculpture, seen each year at the annual Summer Exhibition, in August, at the Pinner Parish Hall, Church Lane. The club regularly welcomes new members. Yoshie Marukami has recently joined and an example of her mixed media work is entiltled ‘A Cafe in Olhao’. Established member Pam Adsley is showing ‘Secret Sands’, in which she has combined water colour and pastel. Manjula Muir specializes in ceramics and ‘Blue Dragon’ is one of her Stoneware pieces. Antonella Sands is showing this finely detailed pencil drawing which she has called ‘Four Seasons’. These artists are amongst over eighty members represented in the exhibition. All work is for sale. The exhibition runs from 11th to 25th August and entry is free.

25 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

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Harrow Waste Services - Harrow Collection Authority Harrow collects the recycling (blue) bins and the residual bins (grey or green) fortnightly, the food waste (black caddies) weekly and has a paid service for garden waste (brown) bins which are collected fortnightly. Residents can bring most of their

household waste directly at Harrow’s Cynthia Wells Bring site centre in Forward Drive, to be recycled. West London Waste Authority – disposal authority Ready for the off! After the waste is collected it all goes to the rail transfer station in Ruislip. The destination thereafter depends on the type of waste and what treatment it requires. Blue Bins – The contents of the blue bins go to Viridor in Kent where it is sorted in the Material Recovery Facility. Here they separate glass, paper, cardboard, plastic, cans etc. using laser equipment that can recognise the materials and sort them. They also use people manually to separate some of the materials that the machine has missed. The key objective is to have the waste stream as clear of contamination as possible – most of the time less than 2%. Green/Grey Bins – The contents of the green and grey bins, known as residual waste, go to an Energy Recovery Facility in Avonmouth. Energy is made from waste by burning it to release energy to activate turbines. Black caddies (food waste) – The contents of the black caddies go for anaerobic digestion in Hertfordshire. The waste is digested in the absence of oxygen to release a rich methane gas which is used to generate heat and power. If this waste were sent to landfill it would produce greenhouse gas which leads to depletion of the ozone layer. Garden waste (Brown Bins) – The contents of the brown bins go to open-windrow composting in Harefield (Uxbridge). Your garden waste is composted using the pyramid method and turning it from time to time. The compost is then sold. Cynthia Wells The above is taken from a paper prepared by Lorene Cavagna, Harrow Council Recycling & Waste Strategy Manager. 27 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

Check Local Recycling Personally, I am never quite sure what can and cannot be recycled. I can never remember what all the ‘recycling’ symbols on the products mean and find the instruction “check local recycling” unhelpful. I thought others might be in the same position so decided it might be helpful to set out a list of the symbols (see page 31) and publish the Council’s advice in this edition of The Villager. This is given below. What goes in your blue bin? All of your recycling should be put loose into the blue bin. Bin bags and other plastic bags will mean your bin won’t be collected. The list below tells you common household items of rubbish which are accepted in the blue bins. If you put anything in your blue bin from the “not allowed” list your bin won’t be collected. Please rinse out anything that contained food or drink, and squash plastic bottles and cardboard so you don’t run out of room in your bin.

Allowed Not allowed Aerosols Any kind of plastic bag - including bin bags Aluminium foil Crisp packet / other plastic film of any kind Cans and tins Batteries and other corrosive materials Card / cardboard Food / garden waste Drinks cartons Nappies / sanitary waste / tissues Glass bottles and jars Hard plastics e.g. children’s toys, garden furniture Plastic bottles Rubble / bricks / concrete Plastic containers (see more info below) Scrap / large metal e.g. coat hangers, baking trays, saucepans, frying pans Paper (all types including shredded and junk mail) Polystyrene (including packing material)

Not sure if the plastic can be recycled?

Allowed Not Allowed Plastic pots (yoghurt, soup etc.) washed Black plastic (sorting equipment cannot and with no left-over residue detect this colour) Plastic tubs (margarine, ice cream etc.) Crisps and sweet packets / wrappers washed and with no left-over residue

Plastic trays/punnets (raw meat or ham Film lids from the fruit, veg and meat pots trays, fruit punnets, veg trays) with the film or trays lids and absorbent pads removed

28 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

Chocolate and biscuit tubs and trays Laminated pouches (a pouch that springs back when you try and scrunch it) Other clear plastic packaging Plastic toys Brown plant pots (washed and with no soil Medicine packs, toothpaste tubes left)

Plastic bottles containing chemicals Polystyrene

Well, I am a bit clearer after reading the above but questions remain. Take Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference yogurt for example. In identical pots, the advice, depending on the flavour, is “not yet recycled” or “generally recycled”! I took this up with Lorene Cavagna, Harrow Council Recycling & Waste Strategy Manager, who advised that both could be recycled! Having said that, it seems that, generally, cardboard containers lined with plastic, e.g. sandwich packs, cannot be recycled. Medicine blister packs made of a mixture of plastic and aluminium foil cannot be recycled whereas those made entirely aluminium foil can. And what about window-envelopes? I am told that the plastic film should be removed. We all know to recycle our plastic bottles but did you know that their caps should be screwed on tightly? Bubble wrap is not recyclable. Jam jar lids and wine bottle caps should go in the blue bin. So, some answers but reders will probably have more questions. Lorene asks that all items put in the blue bin are clean as the Council is aiming to reduce food contamination to zero. Can we reduce waste itself to zero? Of course, recycling is all very well, but what we need is less packaging and, in particular, to use less plastic. Do M&S shirts have to be folded round cardboard with a stiffener of some sort inside the collar before being encased in a plastic bag? And have you tried avoiding plastic in the supermarket? You can choose loose vegetables but there is only a plastic bag to put them in. We are getting better at taking our own shopping bags, but why can’t people who forget them be offered a stout brown paper bag as used to happen in the old Safeways, where there was also a pile of assorted, used cardboard boxes for the use of customers. So, is there anything we personally can do? Lorene recommends taking your own reusable cotton bags when you go out shopping. She has made several, like shoe bags, into which you can put vegetables, fruit etc. Why not take your own container to the butcher’s. Re-use containers wherever possible. Ice cream tubs with their lids are ideal for storing leftovers rather than putting them in a bowl and covering them with cling film. Use a bar of soap rather than liquid soap in a plastic container. Use both sides of paper. And, be fashionable, take your own to-go cup when buying drinks to take away. Cynthia Wells With thanks to Lorene Cavagna, Harrow Council Recycling & Waste Strategy Manager, who provided much of the above information and patiently answered all my questions. 29 Free Quotations

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30 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

RECYCLING SYMBOLS EXPLAINED Packaging symbols

“Check locally” means 20% - 75% of people have access to recycling facilities for these items. “Widely Recycled” means 75% of people have access to recycling facilities for these items. “Not recycled” means less than 20% of people have access to recycling facilities for these items. Some plastic films can also now be recycled at supermarket’s carrier bags collection points.

The Green Dot - or it can be in two colours The Green Dot does NOT necessarily mean that the packaging can be recycled. It is a symbol used on packaging in many European countries and signifies that the producer has made a contribution towards the recycling of packagi Plastics Identifies the type of plastic: PET and HDPE bottles are recycled by the majority of local authorities. Glass Please dispose of glass bottles and jars in a bottle bank (but remember to separate colours) or use your glass kerbside collection if you have one Recyclable Aluminium Can be placed in an aluminium recycling facility.

Recyclable Steel Can be placed in a steel recycling facility.

Mobius Loop Indicates that an object is capable of being recycled - not that the object has been recycled.

Paper, card and wood The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo identifies wood-based products from well managed forests independently certified in accordance with the rules of the FSC. 31 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

Marsh Road Before Sainsbury’s

Two photographs, both taken in February, 1939, of the stretch of Marsh Road between the High Street and Station Approach, have recently been acquired by members of the P.L.H.S. Research Group. No detailed photographs of the shops to the right of ‘The Victory’ prior to the 1970s had previously come to light. The pictures may prompt fond memories among older readers, as the buildings between the estate agents’ office (at the corner of the High Street) and Station Approach finally disappeared over thirty years ago, in 1985, to make way for the Sainsbury’s development and Kingsbridge House office block (now flats). The house with a tiled roof was Vine Cottage, dating from about the late 1840s. It must have looked attractive in its heyday, surrounded by a garden, between what is now Zizzi

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32 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

(‘The Victory’) in the High Street, and Marsh Farm. Its original setting was short-lived, however: John Gurney built the shops to the left of it in 1852 (along with the original bank building on the corner of the High Street which was re-built in 1905 and still stands). Marsh Farm was sacrificed for the building of the Metropolitan Railway and Station Approach in 1885. The pictures shew the original ‘Victory’ public house. This was the hostelry of which John Henry Snelling was landlord from 1897 to 1926 and whose son sent his sister in 1904 the postcard of Milman’s Bridge in Eastcote Road which featured on page 45 of The Villager issue 230. ‘The Victory’ moved to its High Street premises in the 1950s and the old premises were later demolished. The cycle shop of L.J. Fincher survived well into the 1960s, when it was replaced by an artists’ shop, D.A.R. Colourskill. I recall Mr Fincher as having a ‘handlebar’ moustache – appropriate for the owner of a cycle shop. He had taken over in about 1930 from Hutson & Murray, cycle-dealers, who had moved there by 1922 from Bridge Street. The building was originally a cottage. The shop-front was probably installed after 1898 but before 1909, by which time the premises were occupied as a grocer’s shop. Judging from the 1939 pictures, Leonard Fincher must have done a good trade: bicycles seem to be the most popular form of transport. The next shop was Cooke’s, the fishmonger – a real fishmonger and poulterer, with sawdust on the floor and poultry and game suspended from hooks at the front. Victor Cooke (known as ‘Cookie’) was a well-known figure, who also had a shop in Hatch End. His name appears on the foundation stone of the United Services Club in Avenue Road. He took over in about 1935 from fishmonger Arthur Deer, who was there before 1909 and perhaps by 1901. After Cooke’s closed in the 1960’s, the shop became ‘Occasional Furniture’. The right-hand sash-window was inserted in the twentieth century. By about 1928, Vine Cottage was the home of Mrs Winifred M. Winter, proprietress of Winter’s Taxi Services (also referred to as Marsh Farm Motor Services Taxi Garage). The back door drawing circa 1884 by W.Henderson 33 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

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34 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018 opened into the yard adjacent to Station Approach where the taxis were kept. She had her own workshops and petrol-pumps. In 1930, she started ‘The Pinner Bus’, operating from the ‘Red Lion’ pub (which stood where Red Lion Parade now is). She was there at least until the last war. Probably in the 1950s, a single-storey shop extension was built on the front garden, to the left of the front door, occupied by the ‘Albion Iron Company’. The shared kiosk of ‘Eastmans’ and the ‘General Electrical Maintenance Company’ was built in 1908 by G C Ellement for ‘Swannell & Sly’, estate agents, who moved there from premises in Bridge Street. They were there until c. 1936 when Barclays Bank moved from the building on the corner of the High Street into its new, and current, premises in Bridge Street. ‘Swannell & Sly’ then moved from the kiosk to the old bank building. The kiosk was then divided. ‘Eastmans’ were dyers and cleaners who transferred there from Love Lane. By 1947, the kiosk was again occupied as one, by ‘Pinner Radio’ (which was connected with ‘GEM (Sales)’ in the High Street), and by the early 1970s by ‘Pinner Auto’. To the extreme right can just be glimpsed W. Barcock & Son, coal merchants, proudly proclaiming themselves “the oldest coal merchants in the Pinner Area”. This is the kiosk referred to on page 37 of Villager 236 in my article about the firm. They were there by 1926, until the 1960s. The adjoining kiosk (out of picture) was occupied by ‘London Kiosks’ from before 1933 until the 1970s, when it became ‘Smarts (antiques)’. At the edge of the pavement, between ‘The Victory’ and ‘Finchers’, a bus-stop can be discerned in the pictures. Among other services, I recall the Green Line coaches stopping there until well into the 1960s. It is always fascinating to come across pictures of bygone Pinner. If you, or anyone you know, has any old pictures of Pinner, the P.L.H.S.’s Research Group would greatly welcome the opportunity to view and copy them. The society can be contacted on 020 8866 1677 or [email protected]. Michael Treisman Sources: PLHS archives; the 1901 census; Kelly’s and Kemp’s Directories; local newspapers; personal recollections. Addendum: In researching this article, I was reminded that photographs 2 and 4 on pages 34-35 of Villager 235 previously appeared in Villager 40 (March 1951). I now see from the accompanying article that what I took to be a telephone-pole in photographs 1 and 2 of my article (and therefore erected in 1903) is in fact a flag-pole, almost certainly erected for the Diamond Jubilee celebration in 1897 and left in place for future use. Photograph 2 therefore dates from between 1898 and 1904. 35 36 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

PINNER BIG BAND CLUB Lee Scott

Since it was founded in January 1983, the Pinner Big Band Club has grown from a small group of members meeting in the Village Hall Edward Warburg Lounge to an enthusiastic average of 40 people meeting in the Keith Schofield Hall. In terms of membership, the Club is in the top three big band societies in the South of England. A typical meeting features two musical presentations introduced either by members, Big Band musicians such as Colin Skinner, or guests. Our programme covers a wide range of international music within the Big Band / Swing / Jazz arena. For example, the jazz sounds of Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman or Ted Heath; the dance music of Les Brown, Joe Loss or Geraldo; the magical orchestral arrangements of Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Neal Hefti or Johnny Keating; or the vocal talents of Matt Monro, Ella Fitzgerald or Frank Sinatra, among many others. Once or twice a year we arrange a live Big Band Concert with the ticket price for this event in the region of £10 or under. We also hold an Annual Movie Night where film clips of a wide variety of top bands and vocalists are presented on screen. The live concerts attract particularly large audiences and ran smoothly even when a local traffic disruption resulted in delaying the arrival of several of the participating musicians. On that occasion our resident founder member and compere for the evening, Pete Meadows, managed to ad lib and amuse the audience with a series of witty anecdotes, until the musicians arrived. If you enjoy “our kind of music” and would like to hear our Big Band sounds in an informal atmosphere, why not come as our guest initially for a Taster evening? We are always open to fresh ideas and new approaches and we can promise you a warm and friendly welcome. We meet on the first Wednesday of the month. Further information can be found on our web site at: www.pinnervillagehall.org.uk/member-groups/padca-big-band-club or phone Brian Read on 020 8868 8266 or Suzanne Cooper on 01895 741 001. Jack Wells The article is based on the Big Band website 37 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

38 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

A CURIOUS TURN The Heath Robinson Museum special exhibition changed at the end of May and the Joan Brinsmead Gallery now hosts “A Curious Turn”, a Crafts Council exhibition of automata. Curated for the Museum by Ann Kopka, this is the Museum’s flagship family-friendly summer exhibition which runs until 19 August. Automata are moving mechanical sculptures which are brought magically to life through a sequence of cogs, cams, cranks and levers. For centuries they have delighted and bewitched people. This exhibition features automata from the leading makers of the last 40 years, ranging from the humorous to the macabre and from the playful to the satirical. William Heath Robinson was one of the principal figures inspiring the revival of automata making in the 1970s. Two related designs by William Heath Robinson are included in the exhibition. The works on show take a look at key automata makers such as Rowland Emmett, Paul Spooner and Melanie Tomlinson. Emmett is famous for creating the elaborate inventions of Caractacus Potts in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968). Spooner, as well as being a skilled carver, is an accomplished illustrator and some of his drawings from the Crafts Council collection are on display for the first time. Tomlinson’s automata are printed with beautifully intricate drawings of folklore and fairy tales which are brought to life when the sculptures move. “A Curious Turn” also looks at the pivotal role played by Cabaret Mechanical Theatre in the resurgence of automata in recent decades. “A Curious Turn” was developed by the Crafts Council in association with Cabaret Mechanical

Theatre, exhibition consultant. It presents an Claire Linge opportunity to see extraordinary works of art from the Crafts Council collection, which are rarely exhibited. Always charming, sometimes witty, automata never fail to raise a smile. What the exhibition shows is that they can also be astonishing Childrens workshop 39 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018 works of art with contemporary relevance. Visitors will be able to turn, push and crank to see many of the pieces in action. This really is an exhibition not to be missed and it is on your doorstep in Pinner Memorial Park. A selection of pictures by Heath Robinson from our collection was on display this spring at Mottisfont, the National Trust property. The National Trust told us that it was a huge success with over 500 people visiting each week that it was on. Well, if you live in Pinner, you don’t have to travel beyond Winchester to see Heath Robinson’s works. The best examples are here on your doorstep in the Museum. I hope readers are keeping an eye on the Museum notice boards and website for the many other events held at the Museum. We are delighted that the North West London Meccano Society chose to hold its summer exhibition in the Verden Gallery of West House. Visitors were able to marvel at the incredible machines built by Society members, all well worthy of Heath Robinson himself. Claire Linge Claire Working version in Meccano of a Heath Robinson illustration

We have had a busy year of activities with lots of workshops and classes for both children and adults. These have included “Introduction to Illustration”, a children’s craft workshop and, in our “Coffee & Crafts” series for adults, a “Silkpaper” workshop. The Pinner Adult Education Society Study Days continue to be a sell-out. They begin again on 22 September with lectures on Rubens by Leslie Pitcher. Starting at 9.45am, for £28 you enjoy three first-rate lectures with a break for coffee at 11am and lunch at 12.30pm; the final lecture ends at 2.30pm. Book early to avoid disappointment. More details on page x. Lots of things are planned for children to do throughout the summer holidays. These include a puppet-making workshop for the 4 to 7 year-olds, a moving figures/robots workshop for the 7 to 11 year- olds and a family automata workshop; all these are linked to the special exhibition. These will be followed by a childhood-themed illustration class and a Peter 40 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

Pan story and crafts day. Do book early; these events fill up quickly. Adults are not forgotten, and in August the Museum is launching “Drop- in Thursday afternoon crafts” where for the price Claire Linge of the Museum admission ticket you can chat and produce craft-work. And our third Play in the Park (or even Introduction to illustration a Play in the Dark!) has been organised for the Bank Holiday. On Sunday, 26 August you can enjoy another production by Illyria, the travelling theatre company. This year we have moved away from Shakespeare, and Illyria will be performing “Hound of the Baskervilles”. That should give you shivers up and down your spines but, knowing the theatre company, I hope Claire Linge Claire Silk paper there will be plenty of laughs. So, bring your chairs or rugs and picnics for a great evening out. The Museum is run almost entirely by volunteers and we can always do with more. If you would like to join our team please contact Lucy Smith on 020 8866 8420 or email lucy@ heathrobinsonmuseum.org . Whatever your talents, you can be certain that we can find a use for them. But, anyway, do come and see our latest family-friendly exhibition. Press the buttons and turn the wheels and see the automata in action. Claire Linge

Theatre in the dark Cynthia Wells, Chairman, The West House & Heath Robinson Museum Trust The Museum is open on Thursdays to Sundays from 11am to 4pm. 41 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

SAVE SUNDAY MUSIC Live music events are held on Sundays from 12 noon until 1.30pm at “The Roxy”, The Pavilion, Park, HA5 1JF where they have been performed since the beginning of January 2017. The events are free, although we do have a voluntary collection to help defray musicians’ travelling expenses. A very wide range of musical styles is played ranging from classical through different jazz genres, folk, to pop and rock and roll. Paul Skidmore Tombstone Blues in action The music events are organised by Save Sunday Music. This is a group, founded in November 2015, which campaigned to save live music on Sundays, after the Council announced discontinuation of the council-organised music series at its long-standing home of Headstone Manor. In late autumn 2016, members of Save Sunday Music identified “The Roxy”, as a possibly suitable venue and we liaised with the Friends of Roxbourne Park to start a trial series there in early 2017. The events proved so popular and successful that we had to instigate weekly music and that is what we continue to enjoy today. Since its original formation, many more people, committed to live Sunday music, have joined the group in order to be informed of our music events. It is the view of Save Sunday Music that live music is an extremely important feature of community life. It brings people together to form new friendships; it is educational in that we encourage the performers to tell us about the background to the pieces, instrumentation used and sometimes features of the music to listen for - instrumental colour, etc. In addition, and most importantly, we value the sheer joy of the music as audience members, and, as far as the bands are concerned, it gives them the pleasure of playing for appreciative audiences. The Pavilion holds approximately 50 people but in the summer months people also sit out on the veranda to listen to the music. The Friends of Roxbourne Park have a refreshments bar where a real speciality is wonderful homemade cakes together with other light refreshments, tea, coffee, soft drinks, etc. Some of the events we have celebrated, because they have fallen on, or very close to, a Sunday, are St Piran’s Day, Patron Saint of Cornwall, when the folk band ‘Stumbling Block’ played a programme entirely of Cornish songs and Shanties. We have celebrated St George’s Day with the jazz band ‘Anacousis’ who played programmes consisting almost entirely of English composers ranging from Elgar to Tony Hatch, together with a sing-along section. 42 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

Some of the more unusual bands we have had perform are ‘The Bandorians’ who play in Latin, South American, Oriental and European styles, but with all the music composed by their leader. In addition many of the pieces are danced to by the wonderful and colourful dance group, Danzere. The Ionian Clarinet Quartet, consisting of different register clarinets including the basset clarinet once owned by Dame Thea King, Professor of Clarinet at the Royal College of Music, plays programmes mainly of light classical music including wonderful transcriptions of their own. We have had other interesting instruments, for example the diatonic button accordion of Stumbling Block and the tuned skateboard of the Silvertones! In addition, of course, we have bands Alan of the Silvertones with tuned skateboard that play excellent covers of music from the 50s to 90s. So if you want to hear ‘Rock Around the Clock’ or ‘Johnny B Goode’, you will not be disappointed. The size of bands so far has ranged from eight, for Swing Street Band and Tombstone Blues Band, to a single performer when Maureen so entertainingly sang accompanied songs from musicals. In July we are due to have a still larger group, the Ionian Clarinet Choir. In addition to organising our own programme, Save Sunday Music also cooperates with the Friends of Roxbourne Park, for example in their Music Festival and Fun Day, both of which are due later this year. Do come along any Sunday between 12 noon and 1.30pm to enjoy our music. We pride ourselves on our variety of music styles, so whatever your musical preferences, you are likely to find them with us. Or, even better, come along and hear music with which you are less familiar as musical tastes can always be expanded. Paul Skidmore, Coordinator, Save Sunday Music The Pavilion has an adjacent car park situated at the end of Cannon Lane (turning off Village Way). Additional parking is available in Cannon Lane if the car park is full. Nearest tube station is and The Pavilion can be reached from the station or nearby bus routes, H9, H10, H12, 282, 398. For further information contact Paul Skidmore on [email protected] or phone 07930 424 520. . 43 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

The Hatch End – Harrow Triathlon – a family friendly, charity event

In January 2016 I saw a banner for my local parkrun and decided to go along as a New Year’s resolution. I certainly wasn’t a runner, and didn’t particularly like PE at school, but thought it would be a challenge. Two years on, and I am still running most Saturdays, have reached my 50 parkrun milestone and have joined the core team to take on the role of Run Director at parkrun. One week, along came Grace Hoo-Quartey from Jetstream Tri club to promote the Hatch End – Harrow Triathlon. Whilst I listened, there was no way I was going to do a triathlon, that’s what really fit people do - right? Forward wind another few weeks, and along came Grace again to promote the event and to encourage people to participate. This time I took a leaflet; I’m not sure what had changed but I thought it could be a challenge. A few weeks later, and after convincing my friend Natalie also to compete, we started “training”. The first step was to get my bike out of the shed and get it serviced. That service made such a difference to those gear changes to get up the hills. Next we attended the Jetstream triathlon swimming sessions, and for the first time in my life I had a short swimming lesson to learn front crawl. The club members were so friendly, the coaches were skilled and patient, and the session was truly beneficial and fun. Two weeks before the event, while out with friends, I mentioned that I was doing a triathlon. Instead of the usual response of “are you mad ?” I was met 44 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018 with “Is it too late for us to sign up?” Half an hour later and the team of two had increased to five. The day before the event, at Harrow Arts Centre, I did a trial run to check the bikes would fit in the car; glad I did that the night before and not at 6am on Sunday! OnSunday morning 13th May 2018 I was so nervous but also excited at the same time. I expected to wake up to rain but it was perfect weather, not like the heat we’d experienced the weekend before. After registration, racking our bike into the transition area and attending the race briefing we headed to the pool and one by one we completed our 17 lengths (400m). A quick “sprint” to transition, throwing on a t-shirt, socks, trainers and not forgetting that all important bike helmet and we were off to the start of the 17km bike ride. Fifty minutes later and I’m coming to the end of the third lap, I dismount my bike and …… where are my legs? “Run!” the marshals shout, “You’re doing well!” Run, I thought, I can barely walk. Back in transition, I rack my bike, switch my race number round to my front, have a quick gulp of water and I’m off for the run/walk (3km). It takes so long for my legs to remember how to run but I get round the course and cross the finish line, completing the event in 1 hour 32 minutes. The whole event was very well organised, the encouragement from the crowd was supportive, and I’m pretty sure I will be back next year. I might just have to wait for Grace to promote it at parkrun again before I say ‘Yes’. Ruth Williams, first-time triathlete More information about the event and club can be found at: https://www.entrycentral.com/ hatchend and http://www.jetstreamtri.com/index.html The 20th anniversary event of the Hatch End – Harrow Triathlon will take place in May 2019. Apart from the South Oxhey parkrun there are two parkruns in Harrow at Harrow Rec park and . Information about parkrun can be found at http://www.parkrun.org.uk

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45 46 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

HARROW HALF MARATHON - 2018

There are few local landmarks as iconic as Pinner High Street and it will have a special significance on Sunday, September 16th. Unlike last year, it will mark the halfway and turning point for the runners taking part in the Harrow Half Marathon. The first runners are expected to be there soon after 9.30am and the last will pass by about an hour later. It will be a perfect spot for family, friends and well-wishers to cheer on the runners as we celebrate the second running of the race. In the immediate aftermath of last year’s inaugural race, we were naturally pleased to get a lot of positive feedback on social media from runners and volunteers: “Had a great time. Great atmosphere and feel!! Superb support on the road.” “Excellent race. Well organised. Great vibe at the start/finish.” “Lovely to see something positive for the people of Harrow and visitors.” However, we have not rested on our laurels; not everything went as well as we’d hoped. So, we listened to all the feedback and sought comments from all stakeholders including Harrow Council, Police, residents, volunteers, marshals and the runners themselves. Principally, we’ve simplified the route. We will still start and finish in the grounds of 47 Harold Benjamin Solicitors

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Harrow School but will go out as well as back through St Ann’s shopping precinct and Harrow Recreation Ground. There will also be more parts of the course where runners will pass each other going in different directions; this was very popular last year with both runners and spectators. We’ve added two-way stretches along Pinner Road and Marsh Road and will again feature George V Avenue and St. Thomas’ Drive. What this also means for Pinner and Hatch End is that runners will no longer use Paines Lane or the Uxbridge Road, which was a source of friction in 2017. Keeping runners safe is a big priority and these changes will also help us reduce the disruption to traffic and lessen the frustration some residents felt on the day. Exact information on the route and timings will be available on the race website – www.harrowhalfmarathon.co.uk - in due course as well as details of how to enter or volunteer. We aim to appeal to everyone, whether you’re a regular runner, raising money for charity or simply taking up a personal challenge. You’re all welcome to sign up. Once again, alongside the Harrow Half, we will also be staging the Sir Roger Bannister Family Mile in the grounds of Harrow School. As we were planning last year’s Harrow Half Marathon, I rang Sir Roger. We wanted him to lend his name to the Family Mile we were staging alongside the main race. He sounded frail but said, “I can’t stop you” with what I sensed was a twinkle in his voice. I think he was pleased that another generation would benefit from his sporting legacy. The whole world of Athletics mourned his death earlier this year and it was particularly poignant for everyone connected with Harrow Athletics Club and the Harrow Half Marathon. Harrow AC has been based at the Bannister track in Hatch End for many years. We treasure his local connections and how his achievements have encouraged and motivated runners of all ages. Our aim is to make this year an extra special occasion as we remember the life of a true global sporting legend. We hope the community will come out in force to support the runners and do Sir Roger proud. Dave Gordon, Harrow AC 49 50 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

TALKING SHOPS

Shopping streets everywhere seem to be suffering and ours are no exception. Shopping on line seems to be the culprit, but that can’t be half as good for you as getting out of the house and having a walk round the shops where, because Pinner is a village, you are bound to meet someone you know for a chat. * * * * * The Pinner Independent Traders Association (now absorbed into the Business Club), with the support of the Pinner Association and others has done wonders cheering up our streets by organising flower troughs along the railings. Individual shops and groups such as your Association Cynthia Wells have paid for these and you will find the names of the sponsors on the troughs themselves. Watering has turned out to be a problem. It would be great if shops near the Bridge Street in Bloom troughs could water them – even if they are not the sponsors - when the weather turns dry. After all the flowers benefit everyone and help to make visiting Pinner a pleasure. Will anyone rise to the challenge, I wonder. * * * * * Sermon over, so let us start our Pinner peregrinations somewhere quite different this time, namely Pinner Station. Not commuting anymore, I missed the fact that Coffee Station had opened, before we went to press in March, and where else but on platform 1? It is an independent family business run by Christie Manunca and Dan Mizuri. They are open from 5.30am until 2.30pm Monday to Friday and from 6am to 2pm on Saturdays. I am sure early travellers are very grateful for a cup of traditional Italian coffee and locally baked pastries. And Christie and Dan have got their service down to a fine art. It is quick, no hanging about as they make certain that customers do not miss their trains. And, if you are one of their regulars, service is almost spontaneous because they know what you want before you order! We wish Christie and Dan success providing sustenance to Pinner passengers. * * * * *

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Next, down Station Approach and through Sainsbury’s yard into High Street via the passage between x and y. (I wish someone would do something about the pigeons and their droppings there.) Turning up the hill, we call on Carpentiers at No.26 to congratulate Harriett first on her coming marriage and second on being the first café in Pinner to join the national chatty café scheme. The idea was spotted on Norman Stevenson TV by Cllr Norman Stevenson who Chattering and nattering mentioned it to Harriett. The idea is that cafés and restaurants designate a table where customers, particularly those on their own, can sit and chat to other customers. So, if you fancy a chat, pop into Carpentiers and, when it is quiet, you will find a table duly labelled “chatty table”. Sounds a great idea to me. * * * * * Across the road, the old Village Gallery premises at No.37 are being refurbished, which is a very good sign. We don’t know who has taken it or what it will be, so watch this space. * * * * * Down the road and along Bishops Walk into Love Lane. We noted in the last issue of The Villager that, sadly, PLC Security at No.19 had closed. However, I am pleased to see that it has immediately been taken and is now Dream Doors. (Not not to be confused with My Dream Kitchen in Marsh Road.) This is a franchise, owned by Tohid Mohebbi and his wife Raminta who live locally. The firm has been in business since 1999 and has 85 showrooms across the UK. Tohid tells me that Dream Doors will provide you with as little or as much as you want from a completely new fitted kitchen to a makeover, fitting new fronts to your existing cabinets and drawers. The latter is less hassle for the customer and costs 60% less than a new kitchen. Asked why he chose to set up business in Pinner, Tohid simply said he loved the location. We wish Tohid and Raminta well, refitting Pinner’s kitchens. * * * * * Over the road, Andrik at No.10-12 has closed. Proprietor Graham Holton tells me that he is not closing his printing and photocopying business, just the shop side. (The usual story – unaffordable rent increases.) Graham is moving his business over the road to a large back room in Bradley & Jones. Go through the side gate and along the passage. He may stock some basic envelopes and paper for sale, but anyway will continue to meet the printing and 53 EXCLUSIVE OFFERS

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54 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018 photocopying needs of local businesses and organisations. The old Andrik premises may not be empty for too long as a “Letting Agreed” sign has appeared outside. * * * * * Turning into Red Lion Parade let us call in on No.7, Ahimsa, the vegan restaurant on the corner. One of the founding partners, Mita Panda, tells me that they are now open on Thursday to Sunday evenings for dinner. The dinner menu includes pizzas, burgers and quesadillas (tortillas with delicious fillings), all vegan, of course. The pizza dough is made freshly on the premises and the cheese for the pizzas is made from coconut oil. You can finish with a dessert followed by tea or coffee, and if you want latte or milk in your tea, you can choose between almond, coconut, oat or soya milk. Tables can be booked. Ahimsa also provides a takeaway service. So, a perfect place for Pinner vegans, and a new experience for the non-vegans amongst us. * * * * * Across Love Lane and a saunter up the hill takes us to Swags & Tails. What can I say? There they are, still in No.26 and look likely to stay there for a little while longer. I hope they don’t need to stay there too long as No.26 has now been given planning approval to become a café/takeaway. Thankfully, the builders seem to have started work again rebuilding the old shop at No.2. Not before time is all I can say. The accident on the old zebra crossing when a car crashed into the building happened, as I remember, three years ago. * * * * * Some good news at No.x, the old TSB building. Called BrOOKs, after the owners, Sarah and Peter Brook, this outlet, which is opening in August, will be offering something not seen in Pinner before. As the sign will say, they will be offering ‘Books. Wine. Coffee’. They live locally and Sarah is an active Friend of Pinner Village Gardens. Although this is a new venture, they are not entirely without experience in this world. Peter spent his early career in bar and hotel management before moving to Guinness where he was involved with Irish pubs all over the world. Sarah had a long career in Human Resources, mainly in food and drinks businesses. The idea of BrOOKS came to them when they stumbled across an amazing bookshop bar in America. Sarah says BrOOKs will not be just a book shop or a wine bar or a coffee shop, it will be a mixture of all three. It will be somewhere to sit and think with a drink, discuss a book with friends, listen to an author or simply buy a treat or a gift. BrOOK’S will stock fiction, travel, biography, lifestyle, children’s and a range of other books. Customers will be able to order anything in print and get it delivered to the shop too. They plan a selection of wines and champagnes to appeal to all tastes and an interesting selection of soft drinks too. They will also offer a simple cold food menu ranging from delicious cakes and sweet treats to cocktail snacks and nibbles. The venue will host regular 55 56 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018 events from a daytime book club to evening events such as author signings and literary led talks. Some tables will be bookable including a large one which they hope will be popular with the book groups of Pinner. Readers will certainly be intrigued to experience this new venture and we wish Sarah and Peter well. * * * * * We noted in the last issue that, sadly, Petals from Heaven was closing. Again, a “Letting Agreed” sign has appeared, so, fingers crossed, the premises may not be empty for too long. * * * * * On up the hill to . I now understand why I never managed to speak to the owners of Pinner Piazza which replaced Villa Pompeii which replaced La Giralda. (Have I missed a step? I can’t keep up.) Apparently it closed almost as soon as it opened. Let us hope someone takes over the premises soon. It is a big area to have unoccupied. * * * * * Back to Bridge Street where a lot has been happening on the west side. Our mobile phone shop, Mobile Connect at No.61, has certainly proved its worth. Mohammed Soheil, the owner, tells me that a customer dropped in to say that her mobile, which she had put down alongside her while she was washing her hands in Sainsbury’s, had just been stolen. With the magic of modern technology Mohammed tracked its location as being somewhere around Boots. Knowing she would recognise the woman who must have taken it, the owner ran down the road, but there was no sign of her. Back to Mobile Connect, and Mohammed tried again only to find that the mobile was still somewhere around Boots. Back went the customer and in a moment of inspiration looked in the litter bin by the bus stop and, hey presto, found it. When Mohammed and his colleague Khurram Shehzard are not rescuing damsels in distress they perform other useful functions like selling mobile phones, iPads, tablets, phone accessories and pay-as-you-go SIM cards. They also undertake repairs and, very important for someone I know, unlock phones and tablets when the owner has forgotten the password. It seems we are lucky to have Mobile Connect and Mohammed and Khurran to get us out of trouble and attend to our communication needs! * * * * * Cake Box at No.51opened so soon after the November Villager came out that I forgot all about it when writing Talking Shops for the March edition. So now I am making up for the oversight. This is a franchise managed by Clancy Coutinho and as you walk in you are faced with a stunning array of scrumptious looking cakes and a friendly welcome Clancy tells me that all the cakes are one hundred percent vegetarian, contain fresh cream and are eggless to boot. They are made on the premises fresh every day by Clancy. Cake Box takes

57 Reasons to be

If any of those make you feel cheerful then e local Pinner & Northwood Business Club is for you. ing mor 1. Mak ontacts business c e PNBC represents the whole spectrum of commercial life in HA5 and HA6, including ities in lping char traders, retailers and other businesses. 2. He thwood Pinner & Nor We work with the local authorities on behalf of our members to improve trading conditions. siness ing the bu 3. Mak onger We meet on the last Wednesday of every month community str to network, build relationships and refer business to each other. Our meetings are friendly, informal and all profit from the club goes towards local charities.

If you would like to know more, please visit our website: www.pinner-northwoodbusclub.org.uk

58 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018 orders for birthday cakes and cakes for all occasions. You can even buy your balloons, candles and other party accessories there at the same time. We wish Clancy and the Cake Box many years catering for Pinner parties. * * * * * Sadly our only framing shop, Sarayan at No.43 has the dreaded signs “Closing Down “and ”Sale” in its window. The owner, Mukesh Bilakhia, and his wife Priti have run Pinner’s only picture and framing shop for 18 years and are very sad that they are having to close. Priti says that they have reluctantly come to the decision because of rent and rates increases and the lack of footfall. They fear the loss of parking with the closure of Waxwell Lane car park and the rumoured closure of more bank branches will only exacerbate the situation. If Sarayan, which has no local competition, cannot continue to trade, what hope is there for Pinner’s shopping centre? Priti said that, when people knew that they were closing, business picked up amazingly. Unfortunately this is too late and all that is left is for me to pass on Mukesh and Priti’s thanks to everyone who has supported them over the last 18 years. * * * * * Below at No.29-31 there is a “To Let” sign up and the empty Harris & Hoole premises are according to the estate agent, ‘under offer’. So it looks as if a new tenant might be found in the not too distant future. The gossip on the street is that it might be converted into serviced offices. [Oh no, not more of Alice’s flights of fancy! Ed] If this is right, it would be a bonus for our local economy, bringing much needed footfall into our shopping centre. * * * * * Finally let’s take the bus to Cannon Lane where, sadly, Bob Bharania, proprietor of the convenience store at No. 58 has retired. Bob and his wife have lived in the area and have been running the shop since the 1980s. Bob will be really missed by all his regular customers. We wish Bob and his wife a long and happy retirement. We believe that the shop will continue as a convenience store. Let us hope that the new Tesco Express, which has been granted planning permission to open in the old petrol station on Whittington Way, will not put all the convenience stores in Cannon Lane out of business. More in the next issue.

Norman Stevenson From your old friend, Alice Bob! 59 60 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

Showtime for Harrow Choral Society!

With warmer weather here at last, preparations are under way for Harrow Choral Society’s Summer Concert on 7th July at St Alban’s Church, when the programme will range from romantic European opera to dynamic Broadway musicals - including some Gilbert and Sullivan for good measure! It promises to be an evening of tuneful and exciting music. There’s a strong Eastern European flavour with choruses from operas by Borodin and Tchaikovsky, but there will also be numbers from hit Broadway shows including West Side Story and Les Miserables. The Society is particularly excited to be singing West Side Story in Leonard Bernstein’s centenary year. The concert will be conducted by Music Director Simon Williams and tickets can be purchased online through the choir’s website at www. harrowchoral.org.uk, by email at [email protected] or by phoning 020 8863 7830. The choir’s performance of Mozart’s Requiem at the end of March in front of a capacity audience of more than 300 at Harrow Arts Centre is testament to the choir’s continuing popularity. Earlier this year HCS ran a ‘Singing for Improvers’ course led by professional soprano and singing teacher Christina Birchall-Sampson with the aim of improving vocal technique and performance skills. As a choir we are always striving for higher standards, and the hard work seems to have paid off at our recent concert. Harrow Choral Society always welcomes new members, and for those with little or no singing experience its training course ‘Singing for Starters’ provides a stepping-stone into the choir through a structured year-long programme. Both the main choir and ‘Singing for Starters’ meet at St Alban’s Church, Norwood Drive, North Harrow HA2 7PF on Monday evenings at 7.45 pm and anyone wishing to join either choir is welcome. For more information visit the choir’s informative website at www.harrowchoral.org.uk or contact Membership Secretary Jill Mans on 020 8248 7625 or email membership@harrowchoral. org.uk Anna Tribick 61 62 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

Pinner Synagogue’s Holocaust Commemoration The annual Yom Hashoah commemoration at Pinner Synagogue on 11th April 2018 marked the 80th Anniversary of the Kindertransport when Britain opened its doors to 10,000 child refugees from Nazi Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia following the Kristallnacht anti- Jewish pogroms of 1938. On 11th April the principal guest speakers were Ann and Bob Kirk who each came to Britain on separate Kindertransports in 1939 and eventually met and married. Each described with great poignancy their respective experiences and final farewells with their parents, whom they were never to see again. Their stories were told with great clarity; although it was hard in the beginning, they eventually settled down to happy and full lives in Britain. The evening was attended by over 300 people including diplomats from the embassies of Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Romania, Poland and Slovakia. There was also an address by the Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy. local politicians, including the Mayor and Deputy Mayoress of Harrow and a number of local councillors, and representatives of civil and religious organisations also attended. Everyone spoke positively about this emotional and moving evening, when the survivor representatives also lit memorial candles with members of the younger generation. Lindsay Collins

63 64 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY (Correct at time of going to press) Now until end Oct Streamside Horticultural Soc. Whittington Way. Shop open Sundays 9.45am to 12.15pm 5 July-19 Aug “A Curious Turn” exhibition, Heath Robinson Museum, Pinner Memorial Park, Thurs –Sun, 11am – 4pm Sun,29 July Band concert – Whitmore High School Steel Band, 2.30pm Pinner Memorial Park, organised by the Pinner Association Admission free Sun, 5 Aug Band concert - Fats Rollini Jazz & Blues Band , 2.30pm in Pinner Memorial Park, organised by the Pinner Association. Admission free Sat/Sat Pinner Sketch Club 73rd Summer Exhibition, St John’s Church Hall, 11 –25 Aug Sats & weekdays 10am-6pm, Sundays 12noon–6pm. Admission free Sun, 12 Aug Band concert - The Stardust Big Band, 2.30pm, Pinner Memorial Park, organised by the Pinner Association. Admission free Sun, 19 Aug Band concert – Grimsdyke Brass, 2.30pm, Pinner Memorial Park, organised by the Pinner Association. Admission free 25Aug – 18 Nov “Peter Pan & Other Lost Children” exhibition, Heath Robinson Museum, Pinner Memorial Park, Thurs –Sun, 11am – 4pm Sun, 26 Aug Hound of the Baskervilles, Pinner Memorial Park, 6pm. Tickets sales Gibbs Gillespie, Chapel Lane. Organised by The West House & Heath Robinson Museum Trust Thurs, 6 Sept PLHS –-“Bertram Park of Eastcote” 8pm, Village Hall Sat, 8 Sept Pinner Village Show, 11.30am-5pm in Pinner Memorial Park, organised by Pinner Rotary Sat, 22 Sept Study Day – Rubens, 9.45am, West House, tickets phone: 020 8866 0809 Thurs, 4 Oct PLHS – “Pinner’s Old Roads and Paths; Tracks Travellers, Turnpikes and Tarmac”, 8pm, Village Hall Sat, 22 Oct Study Day - Art of the Russian Revolution 9.45am, West House, tickets phone: 020 8866 0809 Thurs, 1 Nov PLHS “Watford’s Bronze Age Hoard”, 8pm, Village Hall Thurs/Fri/Sat Pinner Players present – ‘Night of the Iguana’ at the Village Hall, 7.45pm 15,16,17 Nov Box office 01923 827432 Sat 24 Nov Study Day - Post Impressionism 9.45am, West House, tickets phone: 020 8866 0809 More dates on our website www.pinnerassociation.co.uk 65 www.harrowgardeningservices.co.uk

66 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

Minutes of the Pinner Association 86th Annual General Meeting on 18th April 2018 at 8pm in Pinner Village Hall. Robin Youle, President of the Pinner Association, welcomed more than 80 Pinner Association members and others to the meeting. 1. Minutes of the 85th AGM The minutes of the 85th AGM held on 26th April 2017, as published on pages 67 - 73 of The Villager, No. 238, published in July 2017, were duly proposed and seconded and agreed by the meeting. 2. Matters Arising None. 3. Chairman’s Report Christine began by observing that the Pinner Association (PA) had lasted for 86 years with the aim “to conserve and enhance the quality of life in Pinner”. This the PA continued to do by supporting where possible the conservation of the historic fabric of Pinner and enhancing the local environment by practical means, such as PA volunteers maintaining the Peace Garden and flower beds at Pinner Station, and providing the Pinner Christmas festive street lights and trees. However, despite its great age, the PA had embraced modern communication technology. In addition to The Villager achieving eighty years of continuous publication, the website was now sixteen years old and it too was a means of both informing our members and publicising many events in the Pinner area. The website was now mobile-device-friendly and hence would be even more useful as a source of local information. Christine thanked Jack Wells, the first PA Webmaster, who had set up and maintained the website, and Julie Waller, who had succeeded Jack as the Webmaster and also ran the popular Pinner Association Facebook site, which had quickly gained over 760 “Followers”. One example of how the PA used modern communications to aid its work was publicising the current planning application to demolish “West House Lodge”, the privately owned small house located within Pinner Memorial Park, and to build a block of five flats on the site. As soon as the PA saw this application on the Harrow Council Planning website it posted information both on its website and via Facebook about the plans and how the public may comment on them to Harrow Council. Currently Christine had counted over two hundred objections, which was a wonderful example of community action. For those who wished to use a more traditional method of objection a paper petition was available to be signed at the meeting. (Note: This petition obtained 65 signatures on the night of the meeting and was submitted to Harrow Council Planning.) Over the past year the PA had made several donations to local charities and community organisations including £1,000 to the Harrow Foodbank, funding provision of the festive street lights and Christmas trees in Pinner, and prize money for Panto Evening, £500 to 67 68 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

Pinner Wood School to assist in the installation of new playground equipment following remedial building works on their site, and the same amount to the Friends of Pinner Village Gardens for their Children’s Playground Appeal. In 2018 and 2019 the Association would sponsor the Pinner Cricket Club Family Fun Days in the Montesole Playing Fields, at which the community could come together to enjoy rides, stalls and tombolas. All an examples of the PA supporting activities for young people. The PA had reviewed how it holds and uses the personal data of our members and volunteers in light of the new General Data Protection Regulations. The limited amount of personal data kept was used for membership and Gift Aid purposes only and was never been made available to any third parties. The ever popular Summer Band Concerts in Pinner Memorial Park, organised and sponsored by the PA, were planned again this year. 4. Treasurer’s Report Tim Owen, Honorary Treasurer, referred the meeting to his written report which was set out on pages 75 and 76 of edition No. 240 of The Villager, and the abbreviated accounts for the year ended 31 December 2017 were set out on pages 76 and 77. A copy of the fuller set of annual accounts, in the format required by the Charity Commission, and which had been examined and signed off by the Independent Examiner, who had given an unqualified report, was available at the meeting for any member who wished to see them. Income for the year had been increased by the receipt of a legacy from the late Dave Bolton, and the transfer of funds from Harrow Council ringfenced for the provision of festive lights in the High Street. The main sources of regular income were from the advertisements in The Villager and the membership subscriptions. Expenditure on the production of The Villager was mostly covered by the advertising income, leaving the income from subscriptions to be used to enhance life in Pinner by sponsoring the Band Concerts, the Peace Garden, the festive lights and trees, and the donations mentioned in the Chairman’s Report. There had been a surplus over the year of just over £2,000, resulting in a strong financial position with approximately £42,000 available to fund the PA’s activities. Tim asked the meeting for suggestions of further ways the PA could fund enhancements to life in Pinner. There being no questions on the accounts, Robin Youle proposed and Cliff Lichfield seconded their adoption and, agreed unanimously by those present, the accounts for 2017 were adopted. The signed adopted accounts would be filed with the Charity Commission. 5. Election of Officers and Executive Committee Christine Wallace, Chairman, conducted the election of the President. The only nominee, Robin Youle, was duly elected. Robin Youle, President, then conducted the election of the Officers. Christine Wallace had been nominated and seconded by the due date and was elected as Chairman. No nominations had been received for the position of Vice-Chairman, which would be left 69 Residential/Commercial Property Probate Wills & Trusts Lasting Powers of Attorney

21 Bridge Street Pinner HA5 3HX Telephone: 020 8866 2144 Fax: 020 8866 5070 Email: [email protected]

Established over 75 years

70 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018 vacant, with the option of the Committee electing a candidate to this post during the year, as was allowed under paragraph 6 of the Constitution. For the other Officer posts there were no contested positions, and the following, having been nominated and seconded by the due date, were confirmed in post with the agreement of the members present: Hon. Secretary – Ruth Boff; Hon. Treasurer – Tim Owen; Hon. Membership Secretary – Jill Cock; Hon. Editor of The Villager – Cynthia Wells. There had been nine Executive Committee nominations for the ten posts available under the Constitution, and the following, having been nominated and seconded by the due date, were confirmed in post with the agreement of the members present: Shirley Clark, Bill Dedman, Warwick Hillman, Fiona Jones, James Kincaid, David Leibling, Joanne Verden, Julie Waller and Bruce Watson. 6. Vote of thanks to, and election of, the Hon. Independent Examining Accountant Tim thanked the new Hon. Independent Examining Accountant, Mr Anthony Fineberg, who had taken on the role this year. He proposed the vote of thanks to Mr Fineberg and his re-election as the Independent Examining Accountant for the coming year. This was seconded by Cliff Lichfield and passed unanimously. 7. AOB Robin Youle, President, welcomed Rt. Hon. Nick Hurd, MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, to the meeting. The President then proposed a vote of thanks to the Officers and Committee, and all the Area Leaders, Collectors and other volunteers of the Association. In particular he thanked Geoffrey Wheal who had retired from the Committee after twenty years’ service, covering Planning, in which role he had scrutinised all local planning applications submitted, had advised the Committee on any actions required, and had liaised with the Harrow Council Planning Officers. He had also helped organise the annual Remembrance Service The meeting gave Geoffrey a round of applause. The formal business of the AGM ended at 8.25pm. Pinner Village Gardens – From Neglect to Resurgence Karl Howe of the new Friends of Pinner Village Gardens (FoPVG), formed in 2015, explained that, following local consultation, the FoPVG had identified several aspects of Pinner Village Gardens needing radical improvement. So far they had already cleared and replanted the neglected rose beds, refurbished, with Council funding, the dilapidated tennis courts, cleared the pond of weeds and rushes, and created a new wild life area. The uninviting entrances in Compton Rise and Whittington Way had also been landscaped to make them more welcoming. Moves were underway for resurfacing uneven footpaths and repairs to the non-operational drinking fountain. Funding for the phased regeneration of the poorly equipped children’s playground remained an issue, but work had begun with the help of donations from the Pinner Association and Tesco. New equipment would be ordered through the Council. A Summer Fair to raise funds 71 THE HEATH ROBINSON MUSEUM

Explore Heath Robinson’s life and artistic development Visit the special exhibitions Enjoy an activity or workshop in the Activity Studio Visit the Museum shop for distinctive and unique gifts Opening times Thursday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm For lots more information visit heathrobinsonmuseum.org

72 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018 was planned for 7 July. All further donations would be welcome. The FoPVG website is: https://friendsofpvg.org.uk/# Robin Youle thanked Karl Howe for his comprehensive and informative presentation and hoped that all present would support the excellent work of the FoPVG. Open Forum Questions raised from the floor under “Open Forum” covered the following topics: • The status of Church Green,where there are notices saying “private” on this open space - It was explained that when Church Green was donated by John Edward Clarke for the benefit of the people of Pinner in 1924 as a public open space in perpetuity a condition was imposed that there would be no public access. It was the only open space with this restriction in the borough. • Omission of Little Common from the map on the reverse of the entrance signs in Pinner Memorial Park - This was due to an error by Harrow Council. The PA had not been consulted by the Council before they made these signs. Little Common was a public open space on the Association’s “to do” list to be better publicised and improved. • Development of the Waxwell Lane car park for housing - It was explained that as there was no third party right of appeal against the grant of planning consent there was no method for the Association or any other person or organisation to have this decision by Harrow Council reversed. On the PA Committee a vote had resulted in no overall majority for or against the proposal and it had therefore been decided that the Committee would not comment on the planning application. Rather all Committee members, and others living or working in Pinner, were being encouraged to submit their own, informed, comments. • The new finance plan for the Waxwell Lane car park development now proposed by Harrow Council - The Association would be monitoring the tender contracts for the development and would query any adverse items. • The planning application to demolish “West House Lodge” and build flats on that site within Pinner Memorial Park - The part of the park that includes “West House” and “West House Lodge” was purchased by public subscription in 1949 as a war memorial for those who had fallen in both World Wars, and transferred to the trust set up to administer that section of the park. In 1995 the Peace Garden, an old walled garden immediately north of “West House Lodge”, was created to be a haven of tranquillity and dedicated as a memorial to the 50th anniversary of the ending of WWII. It was explained that “West House Lodge” was privately owned due to an unfortunate mistake by Harrow Council which allowed the property to be purchased under “Right to Buy” in 1992. However, Harrow Council did not own that part of Pinner Memorial Park; rather they were, and still are, the trustee of the charitable trust that was, and still is, the owner of the land (now known as the “Pinner Memorial Park Trust” – a Registered 73 FACILITATING BEST CHOICES AT 11+ REDDIFORD SCHOOL An independent day school for boys and girls aged 2 years 9 months to 11 THE SCHOOL IS OPEN FOR VISITS DURING THE WEEK BY ARRANGEMENT

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Charity). The house should not have been sold under “Right to Buy”. The PA became aware of the situation only when the owner put the house on the market and immediately asked the Council to buy it back. When they would not, the PA took Counsel’s advice on the matter, as did the Council, and both barristers agreed that the Council held the land in trust and had disposed of it illegally. However, they advised that,as by then the house had been sold on, nothing could be done to reverse the sale. The PA then complained to the Charity Commission and the Charity Commission required Harrow Council to pay the sum received for the property into the “Pinner Memorial Park Trust”. “West House Lodge” remains in private ownership. The PA were preparing a comprehensive objection letter to this application citing the planning grounds of “Garden Land Development”, the status of Pinner Memorial Park as a War Memorial and Locally Listed “Designated Open Space”, the inappropriate scale and location of a block of flats next to the new Heath Robinson Museum and West House, and the actual or perceived overlooking of the Peace Garden and Children’s Playground. The Association had published information about this planning application on the Pinner Association website and Facebook immediately and the very large number of individual objections already on the Harrow Council Planning webpage for this application demonstrated the strength of local, and wider, opposition. • The paving in Bridge Street was very poor in contrast to Eastcote shopping centre which was undergoing a refurbishment. Eastcote is in Hillingdon Borough which had more money to spend largely because it contained such businesses as Heathrow Airport, whereas Harrow had lost all its large scale employers. Pinner therefore seemed the “poor relation” of Eastcote. The complaint about the paving in Bridge Street was noted and this would be raised with Harrow Council when appropriate after the forthcoming local government elections. • A member had complained to the Association about the poor availability of service in the “Post Office” now that it was located in WHSmith. with often only one service position open when there was a queue waiting - This was noted, but it was a matter for the Post Office to provide an adequate level of service in the new location. • The issue of the dangerous crossing for pedestrians, particularly those with young children to escort, at the junction of the Eastcote Road and Marsh Road. - The Association had already contacted Harrow Council Traffic Engineers to ask what could be done to improve pedestrian safety at this junction and would continue to do so. Additionally, this would be raised with the Pinner South Ward councillors after the local elections. Any changes at this junction would take some time as both Harrow Council and TfL would need to be involved as it was on four bus routes and any new traffic scheme would have to take account of the effect on traffic flows. The Open Meeting ended at 9.35pm with Robin Youle, President, thanking all those who had attended and reminding members that they could raise concerns or queries with the Association at any time via the Chairman or Hon. Secretary – email: chairman@ pinnerassociation.co.uk or [email protected]. 75 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

76 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

COMMITTEE NEWS Sub-Committees and Portfolios for 2018 / 2019 High Street Committee: Ruth Boff – Chairman; Margaret Catley – Secretary; Lecha Kowalska – Resident; John Orchard – Hon. Architect; Peter Saunders – ex-Trader Portfolio Holders: Editorial: Cynthia Wells (Shirley Clark, Nick Coleman, Bill Dedman, Warwick Hillman, James Kincaid, Christine Wallace, Julie Waller, Bruce Watson) Environment: Bruce Watson (Fiona Jones, John Orchard - Hon. Architect, Christine Wallace) – with Joanne Verden as Environment Consultant Events Team: Julie Waller (Ruth Boff, Ed Badke) Health: James Kincaid Highways & Parking: David Leibling (Bill Dedman, Warwick Hillman) Licensing: To be appointed if required New Projects: Christine Wallace (Tim Owen) Planning: Ruth Boff, Christine Wallace (David Leibling) - with Geoffrey Wheal and Ed Badke as Planning Consultants Police: Bill Dedman (Warwick Hillman) Publicity: Lewis Ewing – Pinner Association Notice Boards, Julie Waller – Website and Facebook and Visit Pinner Notice Board Public Transport: Warwick Hillman (David Leibling) Liaison: Conservation Areas Advisory Committee: Joanne Verden (Christine Wallace) Harrow Heritage Trust: Joanne Verden London Green Belt Council: Bruce Watson PADCA: Shirley Clark Traders: Cynthia Wells The West House & Heath Robinson Museum Trust: Cynthia Wells Specific Appointments: Acting Villager Advertisement Manager: Julie Waller Christmas Trees and Decorations: Bill Dedman & Tim Owen Remembrance Service: Geoffrey Wheal, Caroline Ennis Gift Aid Co-ordinator: Tim Owen Minutes: Ruth Boff

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Area Leaders and Collectors Area Leader s:- Mr J. Hinkley 8866 0009 Mr B.Glozier 8868 3576 Miss H. Hurle 8866 4486 Mrs J. Laird 8868 2420 Miss P. Ibbotson 8868 4151 Mrs S. Morgan 8866 8116 Mr J. Kemp 8429 0135 Mrs A.Whitehead 8429 2358 Mr R. Kennett 8429 0828 Collectors: - Mrs A. Kirkley 8866 1899 Mrs P.Ahmed 8866 3485 Mr J. Kincaid 8866 7888 Dr A.K.Allen 8868 5652 Mrs L. Kowalska 8868 4826 Mrs M. Ash 8868 1103 Mrs M. Lamb 8866 5916 Mr & Mrs R. Ballard 8866 6820 Mrs V. Landon 8868 0392 Mr & Mrs S. Bervan 8429 1682 Mrs G. Lauder 8429 2475 Mrs P. Brady 8868 3802 Mr D. Leibling 8866 6535 Mrs M. Brett 8866 7809 Ms L. Levingston 07915 657156 Mr C. Bridgeman 8866 7404 Mr T. Lilley 8866 0425 Mr & Mrs D. Butler 8866 3720 Mrs L, Lucas 8930 7510 Mrs J. Campbell 8866 8561 Mr & Mrs J. Lyons 8863 1421 Mrs C. Cheney 8863 1054 Mr M. Matthews 8866 1836 Mrs J. Chittleborough 8866 6049 Mrs S. May 8428 7932 Mr R. Clark 8866 2684 Mrs J. McIlvenny 8866 6401 Mrs A. Clifford 8866 9280 Mrs L. Morrison 8429 2183 Mr O. Cock 8868 5795 Mrs D. Nattrass 8866 0217 Mr R. Cohen 8866 3735 Ms L. Patten 8868 7331 Mrs S.M.S. Colley 8866 5263 Mrs B. Prentice 8428 1392 Mr & Mrs . J Collins Mrs S. Robinson 8866 6244 Mr M. Collins 8866 5396 Mrs G. Roe 8866 4686 Mrs J. Crocker 8866 6043 Mr K. Rookledge 8866 7017 Mrs S. Davies 8866 2429 Mrs S. Sabry-Grant 8866 1342 Mr & Mrs S. Dirs 8866 1035 Mrs E. Sargent 8868 5412 Mrs M. Dyer 8868 9131 Mrs P. Sanders 8866 7985 Mrs A. Elder 8866 0235 Mrs M. Shipley 8866 6961 Mrs J. Elliott 8868 3768 Mr R. Simons 8866 8848 Mrs C. Ennis 8868 5388 Mrs M Siskin 8866 7470 Mr C. Fickling 8866 7658 Mrs R. Smith 8866 3613 Mrs L. Fickling 8866 7658 Mr J. Taylor 8868 9070 Mrs S. Frais 8868 5750 Mr & Mrs P.A. Thatcher 8868 0689 Mr & Mrs S. Garratt 8866 2485 Mr M. Treisman 8866 7592 Mrs K. Glozier 8868 3576 Mr O. Verden 8866 0704 Mrs A. Goldsworthy 8868 6776 Mrs C. Wallace 8429 1403 Mr & Mrs I. Green 8868 8465 Mr F. Weatherby 8868 6624 Mrs N. Haroutunian 8866 0176 Mr K. Wiggins 8868 7445 Mr B. Harrison 8866 7719 Mrs C. White 8866 5217 Mr I. Harrison 8428 9838 Mr E.D. Whitehill 8868 0444 Mrs L. Hartwell 8429 3465 Mrs B. Wright 8866 2510 Mrs J. Harvey 8868 8839 Mrs J. Wright 8866 8483 Mrs A. Hetreed 8723 8587 Mrs J. Youle 8866 0809 78 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

Index to Advertisers Acting Advertisement Manager - Julie Waller 020 8429 3194 or [email protected] The Pinner Association in accepting advertisements in no way endorses or promotes the goods and services adver- tised. All telephone numbers below are 020 unless otherwise stated.

Accountants/Auditors Smith-Milne & Co., 23 Church St., Rickmansworth 01923 832303 70 Alarms IP Fire and Security Ltd. 8441 2684 38 Architects Orchard Associates, 29 West Street, Harrow on the Hill. 8423 4866 8 Art and Craft [email protected] to [email protected] 07419343105 16 Auction Room Bainbridges, Auction Room, Ickenham Road, West Ruislip. 01895 621991 12 Auctioneers, Estate Agents David Charles, 34 High St., Pinner. 8866 0222 bc Gibbs Gillespie, 2 High St., Pinner. 8866 2777 ifc Paige & Petrook, 118 Marsh Rd., Pinner. 8866 5666 62 Andrew Pearce, 10 High St., Pinner. 8866 9696 56 Beauty Clinics Fridolin’s, 27 High Street, Pinner. 8868 2443 48 Builders A & A Construction 07555 600700 14 AD Developments 8866 9140 34 Business The Pinner and Northwood Business Club. 3137 5398 58 Car Dealership (Honda) Ruislip Honda, Victoria Rd., South Ruislip. 8845 3551 54 Care Carpenders Care. 8868 3328 30 Right at Home, Harrow. 3397 4555 46 Seniors Helping Seniors 3876 0676 69 Carpenter Joe A. Ward, 17 Towers Rd., Pinner. 3524 9625 52 Carpets Raydel, 56 Bridge St., Pinner. 8868 0945 6 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Procare 01923 709450 8 Churches The Pinner Association of Churches (PAC). 8866 9871 14 Coin Collecting Grahamcoins, PO Box 619, Pinner. 8429 3101 52 Directory Website Pinner Local 07931 561020 66 Electrician Alcon Electrical Installations 07730 475633 30 Financial Adviser Cathedral Independent Financial Planning. 8429 8516 20 Essentially Financial, Bishop’s Walk House, 19-23 High St., Pinner. 3137 5398 60 Florist Mansi, 3 Pinner Green, Pinner. 8868 2798 2 Funeral Directors Bradley & Jones 7 Love Lane, Pinner. 8866 0088 24 T.A.Ellement & Son Ltd, 21 Bridge St., Pinner. 8866 0324 4 H.C.Grimstead, 18 Bridge St., Pinner. 8866 3581 50 79 THE VILLAGER 1938-2018

Haven, 58, The Broadway, Joel St., Northwood Hills. 01923 826022 54 Garden Services Harrow Gardening Services. Mobile: 07973 250 926 8427 2857 66 Hair Care Berkeley Square, 6 Red Lion Parade, Bridge St., Pinner. 8868 0546 66 Hall Hire The Village Hall, Chapel Lane. (Bookings). 8429 4320 74 West House, Pinner Memorial Park (Bookings). 8866 3035 18 Health Foods Bodywise, 65 Bridge St., Pinner. 8429 1336 68 Hearing Centre LVIP Hearing Solutions, 121, Field End Road, Eastcote 8866 6700 30 London Hearing Aids, 3 Red Lion Parade Bridge St., Pinner 0203 3979787 26 Heating & Plumbing N.T.Ward Ltd., 29 Colchester Drive, Pinner. 8866 4995 50 Jeweller Richard Trusselle, 8 High St., Pinner 8866 7918 6 Lawn Treatment [email protected] 8866 6607 22 MP [email protected] 7219 1053 22 Museums Heath Robinson Museum. Memorial Park, Pinner 8866 8420 72 Music Festival Pinner Music Festival 60 Opticians Eyesey, 50 Bridge St., Pinner. 8429 0101 34 Insight, 6 Bridge St., Pinner. 8866 5399 20 G & G Pinner, 3 Red Lion Parade, Bridge St., Pinner 8866 2620 72 Philately Benstamps, 101 Paines Lane, Pinner. 8866 7347 66 Printers The Print Shop, 4 Pinner Green. 8429 0020 64 Restaurants Friends, 11 High St., Pinner. 8866 0286 2 Roofing Grange Gdns., Pinner. 8868 3554 36 Armstrong & Armstrong Roofing Ltd., 9 Eastcote Rd., Pinner. 8868 4045 2 Schools Reddiford School, 38 Cecil Park, Pinner. 8866 0660 74 Social Media Sync My Media 07957 600240 18 Solicitors Barnes & Partners, 38 Bridge St., Pinner. 8866 5566 60 E.M.Collins & Co., Wakefield House, 32 High St., Pinner. 8866 1820 ibc Curry Popeck incorporating Garson Law 380 Kenton Rd, Harrow, HA3 8DP. 8907 2000 ibc Hanney Dawkins & Jones, 21 Bridge St., Pinner. 8866 2144 70 Harold Benjamin, 67-71 Lowlands Rd., Harrow. 8422 5678 48 Vyman, 10-12 Love Lane, Pinner. 8429 1010 16 Sports Centre Aikdo. Queensmead Sports Centre, Victoria Rd., Ruislip. 10 Synagogue Pinner Synagogue, 1 Cecil Park, Pinner. 8868 7204 46 Travel B away, 1 Bishops Walk, High St., Pinner. 8248 2355 52

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